Eternal Refuge

Write a love letter to fandom. It might be to fandom in general, to a particular fandom, favourite character, anything at all.

Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it.

Thank you Fandom

Without you I would not have the hobbies I have, I would not have the friends that I have and I would never have dared to push my own personal boundaries.

At school I was told that I should never bother writing down anything, as I was no good at written English. Then I saw BtVS .... and as I watched the finale I wanted to give it a different ending. So, I wrote my first fan-fiction. I have since written other stories, and added a finale to Stargate Atlantis!

In looking for an outlet, I found fan-fiction, and LiveJournal ... and found I needed an icon to decorate the pages. I started by cropping images ... and gradually learned about Photoshop. Now I am colourblind ... and again was always told that colour etc in art would be impossible. But, again, I have Fandom to thank for the multiple icons I have produced, and continue to produce.

I have met some of the people off LJ ... good friends.

Thank you Fandom

However my LJ is not just dedicated to fandom - but through the links I have seen and shared phots, I have learned a lot about history etc, and when I have had some bad days I have had somewhere to let off steam.

All thanks to Fandom.

Thank you

Well the bugs are still around, although I am feeling a lot better than I was.  The trouble is, as my doctor reminded me, there are 2 main types of antibiotics, and I am allergic to both of them.  So, while I am coping and slowly healing then things are OK.  I suppose it also shows how often treatment is given when it's not truly necessary, although it does take a lot longer.  I know over the years super-bugs develop.  So many people expect medication if they just have a "sniffle" ... something I have never accepted, anyway.

For some unknown reason my leg has been very sore over the last couple of days ... although I am continuing to get to work (I am not up to full time hours anyway).

I wish the weather would make up it's mind.  Yesterday was icy, cold, sunny ... winter.  Today is warmer ... but chucking it down with rain.

Although I haven't had much  internet time, I have done a few of the Snowflakes ... I will post them separately.  I just wrote them as an email while at work.  I have also done this set of icon ... with a theme of "Christmas Red" and all are from Stargate SG1

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal - d4s_icons



Well I am due in work soon - but wanted to get something posted, so this is it.  I know I won't have time to get caught up with you ... hope to soon though, honestly.

Challenge #1

The Icebreaker Challenge: Introduce yourself. Tell us why you're doing the challenge, and what you hope to gain from it.


I will admit, I am only going to dip in and out this year. Previously I have done all the prompts, but this year I am fairly happy with where I am, however if there's a great challenge, then yes, I will be tempted.

Good luck to all the mods ... and to all those who will do each challenge.

This set of icons was made of Dr Mike & Sully for ships20in20   One of the prompts is asking why I ship ... they are so different.  Different outlooks, backgrounds, family etc etc ... yet they worked together to learn about easch other.  To compromise ... to fit into each other's lives.



10 THEMES

Grinchmas/Whoville	Primary Colors	Earthy Colors	Two Main Colors	Negative Space
Motto	Decorative Texture	Reason You Ship Them	Plus One	Unusual Angle

5 CATEGORY (Muted to Vibrant Progression)

1	2	3	4	5

5 ARTIST'S CHOICE

1	2	3	4	5

As ever, they are snaggable ... credit would be great.  All the credits are found over at my icon journal - d4s_icons

Yes, I missed again yesterday, and it's only going to be brief today, sorry.

Work went well over the 2 days, but it's also nice to think that I have today & tomorrow off before I have to head back. I love the job, love most of the people I work with ... even get on with most of the casual people I am dealing with. However, it was nice having those 2 months off .... even though I was in pain etc, it was still nice to just be me. Maybe I need to think about part-time hours, so I get the best of both worlds.

Yesterday was not so good for one thing (& the reason I wasn't here), I woke up with a stinking cold (& toothache!). So it was a struggle, but again nice to prove to myself I could cope. But, it means today is a lazy day ... although I will stay up to see in the New Year tonight.

I won't do too much of the Snowflake Challenge this year. I have done it prvious years, but often the questions are repetative. So, I may do none/some/all .... it depends how I get tempted by the questions.




And, I must thank kazzy_cee again for a great year of questions ... and here are the final couple for 2025 ...




30. It’s National Bacon Day! What’s your favourite way to eat bacon? Have you ever tried vegan ‘bacon’?
I love bacon, and often have it .... just fried as it's the easiest!
No, sorry, I am a meat eater, not vegan.

31. It’s New Year’s Eve – how would you sum up 2025 on a scale of one to ten? Let’s stay positive - what was the best thing that happened to you this year?
Wow, the last couple of months have probably brought the score down .... however the support I had from one of my friends and from those at work bring the score back up a bit!




So let me finish by wishing you all a Happy New Year ... and praying that whatever you have planned, will be even better than you hoped.

It's not a phrase I usually use, but as  have yet again been poor at keeping up to date, then it's something I can wish you (seeing as I didn't wish you all a Happy Christmas ... sorry!)

I also know I didn't post any proof that I decorated my house.  I don't do a theme, but there again my hand is not decorated in that way.  My decorations are more about "Christmas", and about family memories ... after all 2 of the ornaments on the tree were from 1930, as they were given to Mum that Christmas, and have been on a tree every year since then.  The angel on the tree was given to ne Christmas 1962 by Mum's cousin ... and, again, has always been on a tree since then.





I worked Christmas Eve and Boxing Day ... but Christmas Day was off.  I was picked up by friends from work and we went to a short Church service.  I don't like missing Church , but until I am allowed to drive, that's how it has to be.  So Amma & Stephen took me to a Church, where we sang some carols ... and then it was time to get home and get dinner on.  In the end I didn't manage to eat until 2pm, but in the interim I was able to have a lovely walk ... and even read a bit of my book.  After dinner & cleaning up, I watched King Charles, and then opened my pressies ... yes, Father Christmas decided I had been a good girl!  Then, TV, snacks, chocolate, etc, etc

As I said, Boxing Day was work ... and then relax & rest.  Sadly Saturday I really wasn't feeling well - just tired etc, etc.  I think that some of the residual stresses of the last few months were still catching up with me.

Sunday I had Tim & Claire round for dinner ... we had a really lovely time.  Chatting, relaxing, and playing a poplar family game (that I lost!)

Now we are back to Monday.  I am here but soon going into work.  This week I am doing 2 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on.  So, we shall see how that goes.

Let me catch up to date -





24. What are your plans for today?
I worked on Christmas Eve for 6 hours … the in the morning I got housework done, and prepared veg etc for my Christmas Day dinner.

25. Are you having a fancy lunch/dinner today? What’s on the menu?
I cooked – turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, onion sauce, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, carrots & brussel sprouts … plus white wine.

26. It’s National Pear Month – do you have a favourite variety of pear?
I like Conference Pears best

27. Do you have a favourite way of using up leftovers?
Not really … as it’s just me, they get heated up in a microwave, or frying pan … sometimes with an odd selection to use everything up.

28. How much exercise have you had over the last few days?
I have had my walk every day. Not really far at present, but getting the leg repaired (so, yes, I am doing my basic muscle building exercise, as well)

29. In 1886, the dishwasher was patented. It was invented by Josephine Cochran, who lived in Shelbyville, Illinois. She constructed the first one and won a prize at the Chicago World Fair (and was used by the restaurant industry). Do you own a dishwasher or wash your dishes by hand?
I do use a dishwasher, but it get’s slowly filled over a number of das (luckily I have loads of plates, mugs etc, I wash up fancy stuff … posh glasses, serving dishes, as well as saucepans.






Right, lets get this posted, and then get sorted out for work (I have something to eat before I go in, but because it's early I always take a sandwich with me)

I will try and do better, I promise!!

I hope I will get this posted this morning ... if not I will have to get back to you later.  I have Christine coming over soon ... so is catching the bus to me, dropping off pressies, then we are going on the bus into Exeter for lunch, and then back here, for her to pick up her pressies and head home again.

It's been a few days .... I have been "busy", but in doing that the leg hurts so I have to rest with it up .... so can't use my computer then. 

It's been good to get back to some baking, to get back to some hours at work ... all small steps.  I saw both my doctor and my physio in the last few days ... both assure me that despite my worries and frustrations, everything is OK ... However I still have a very long road ahead of me.  Which adds to the frustration, but reduces the worry!

On Sunday I went into the city to have lunch with Tim & Claire ... normally i walk to theirs, but still too far at present, so this way we had lunch and a chat (although I had to pay for my meal!!!). It was ood to see them ... they have invited themselves for next Sunday lunch, so I suppose I ought to think what to cook at some point!

Well, let's get caught up with the questions ... hadn't realised I had a week's worth to do!







17. Do you use a tablecloth on your dinner table?
As it's in the kitchen I alternate yes & no.
At present there is a green seersucker cloth that was Mum & Dad's so, great memories of home ... although I also have a Christmas runner down the middle.

18. Have you ever been ice skating?
No - I never could get on with roller skates, although Mum said it was different I never tried.

19. What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
A joke on Instagram ... I follow 2 "talking" dogs ... and they have some great comments about life from time to time.

20. Have you ever had to wear a neck tie?
Not since I was 11. At senior school we weren't allowed ties, as it was the difference between the girls and boys school. (A long history dating back to 1536 & 1701)

21. Yule is celebrated today to honour the triumph of light over darkness. As the longest night passes in the Northern Hemisphere, people rejoice in the promise of longer days. What time is sunset for you today?
I had to Google - 16.11

22. Have you any famous/well known ancestors?
No

23. What do you think of eggnog?
Never tried it - the thought of the ingrediants puts me off!





Right, let's get this posted as Christine is due soon.

Hope you are all doing well - will try and catch up later

Yes, 68 days ago I messaged my colleague to say that I may be 5 minutes late for work as I was having some problems in my leg. And, 68 days on I go back this afternoon (I had better not get there late!!). I am on phased return, so am doing a shorter shift, and only 3 days this week. 3 days again next week, but the 6 hours ... then 4 days the following week, but overall I have to see how things are going.

The service at the Cathedral was lovely ... and yes the Alpacas (that I called llamas last week) enjoyed their promotion to camels ... they walked up and through the cathedral while we were all singing the carol "We theree Kings" ... and then back around as we finished with "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" ... here they are arriving for their starring role, so this is before they had their Royal costumes on.

And, yes, that's me in front of one of the many trees as we were leaving.



Right, I had better get on ... and get ready for work ... so ...








15. Do you have any maple syrup? What’s your favourite way to use it?
I always have Golden Syrup in the house … and use it quite a lot, either for recipes, or over things like pancakes.





I will catch up tomorrow

... I should be able to tell you automatically which Sunday in Advent we have arrived at, but not being able to drive means I can't get to Church ... yes, I will watch on-line tomorrow, but it never quite seems the same.

Actually tomorrow afternoon I shall be catching a bus to the city (other years I have just walked in with Tim & Claire), and am going to the Nativity service at the Cathedral. It's a fun script (they do the same every year ... but there again, the story has not changed in 2,000+ years!!). However the first time we went there were sheep ... last year we had "camels" ... well, llamas that had been "promoted".

Today, I have already been to the shop to pick up some bits and pieces ... now I want to get thos photos sorted and posted, as I didn't get back to the computer yesterday.

I got my police check done, and stopped in to visit the volunteer in hospital. (He was admitted a month before me). When he was first in, you may remember they put him in an induced coma ... now they are talking about getting him home. So that was a good afternoon. In some ways we really can sympathise with each other, as neither of us were in a specific injury scenario.

Right ... photos to come, but before that ...






13. When you open your front door to a guest, what is the first item (apart from you!) that they see when they come inside?
My hall is miniature! However there is a flight of stairs facing you, and to your left are coat hooks, and to your right a door (usually propped open) into my lounge.
And, as everywhere in the house there are pictures.

14. What’s your favourite type of biscuit/cookie? Ever made biscuits/cookies at home from scratch (for example at Christmas)
At present I have a tin containing the remains of gingerbread biscuits. I love making biscuits, and usually have some in a tin.





OK, see you again, soon

I ended up having a lazy day yesterday, although at least I managed to get my knitting pattern sorted out, and have got it all going again ... I do love knitting, but am not the fastest, and tend to only do a few rows a day. I spoke to Auntie Mary yesterday, and despite the fact that she is almost 96 she still knits a lot. She was just starting on a cardigan for a friend's partner. What she does is ask them to provide wool & pattern ... and she knits. If she has nothing specific on the go, then she knits baby clothes for charity. As ever,it was great to catch up with her, ... we always have a good laugh.

On Saturday we had the "family" get-together. Since Mum & Dad died, Tim & Claire have had a gathering at the beginning of December each year (except Covid year, of course). So her family & his family turn up, eat, drink and are merry. Nick & Brenda picked me up ... and our side was missing nephew #2 & partner. Claire's side was missing nephew/niece & toddler (as she is also 7 months pregnant) and missing sister #2.

But, as you can see ... I got to meet Jonah, at long last (he was ill, then I was busy, then I was unable to drive ... so nice to meet him at long last)





My Christmas is coming together - decorations are up, and cards are written ... although I have a few letters to write to add to the cards before posting. I had sent one to Australia at the end of last week, and heard from them this morning ... although, it's no longer a "them", so I also need to write another letter to Jean.

Oh well ... let's get on with that ... so ...




5. Do you own anything with fake (or real) fur trim?
No ... I did when I was younger.

6. Do you own a microwave oven? What do you use it for?
I have one, but don't use it very much at all.

7. Have you ever tried an alcoholic cocktail, or a non-alcoholic mocktail? Do you have a favourite?
I love many cocktails ... but not a mocktail fan (what's the point!!) If I am driving, I just stick to lemonade.

8. Today is Green Monday: the most lucrative shopping day of the year. This is usually the last day that people can shop online so that the purchases can still arrive in time for the holidays. What’s the last thing you bought from an online retailer?
A specialist light-bulb for a lamp that we kids bought Mum & Dad back in the late 70's

9. If you have a battery smoke alarm in your home, do you check the batteries regularly?
Mine is electrical with battery back-up.





Right, hopefully it will rain less over the next few hours so I can have my daily rehab walk.

Let's try & catch up with you all before I log off.

xx